Hey guys. I'm looking at buying a gun for personal protection that I will carry concealed (once I get the proper license, of course).

I'm seriously looking at a Ruger LCP. I checked one out at a local store and the weight and grip were very comfortable in my hands. I'm told it's important to get a gun that "feels right" but I have no experience with handguns so I really don't know how to go about choosing a gun.

So am I on the right track or is there something else I should do before purchasing this gun?

I've only fired rifles so this will be my first handgun. I have already talked to a friend who is a retired LEO about gun training and going over applicable laws and such.

Is there anything else I need to do? Also, anyone want to rec a good holster? I'm looking at the SmartCarry because undetected concealment is really important to me. I plan to carry this with me wherever legally possible and don't want to freak anyone out.

dont' base your decision on the first gun you pick up - that might feel right, but your experience doesnt give you much to compare it to.

Follow Gatoragn's advice. Seek out a range to rent a gun, or some friends who already own them, offer to buy some ammo if your friend will let you test out his firearms (don't make the mistake of insinuating ammo is cheap...it'll lose you shooting buddies real quick)

You'll do yourself many many favors if you take a few extra steps now to ensure you'll get a gun you're going to be happy with later.

Don't do what my wife did, buy the first guy she set her eyes on because she liked the looks.

Then, after she met me, fired some of my guns, wanted to trade it away immediately and get something better.

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VICTORY IS OURS
Because of members of THIS FORUM - Bass Pro Shops have reversed their anti-2nd Amendment policies on ammunition sales in the State of Illinois

My retired LEO friend is about the only person I can think of that would have any guns for me to try. I don't really have any friends or family that are into handguns (it's mostly deer hunting rifles and shotguns).

There's not a gun range that's all that close to me (the closest is 40 miles) but I guess it would be worth it to really know for sure what gun will be best for me.

I guess when you put it that way, it makes more sense. ^_^; I was just surprised that there's not one closer to where I live. And then I started wondering how a gun range business would do here around here...

I would check out quite a few more guns before buying one. I would also suggest that you actually fire them as well. Holding a firearm and firing one both require your "feel" to be good with it. Decide how you plan to carry as well. Don't buy a pocket gun if you're going to conceal IWB and don't buy a compact gun if you want to carry In Your pocket!

I guess when you put it that way, it makes more sense. ^_^; I was just surprised that there's not one closer to where I live. And then I started wondering how a gun range business would do here around here...

The town I live in is about 100,000 people.

And we don't have a gun range.

Central Illinois - full of gun owners - full of hunters. No gun range.

Closest one is about 40 minutes away. So my friend and I built one of our own on some land given to us by his family

Makes no sense to me either

__________________

VICTORY IS OURS
Because of members of THIS FORUM - Bass Pro Shops have reversed their anti-2nd Amendment policies on ammunition sales in the State of Illinois

I would check out quite a few more guns before buying one. I would also suggest that you actually fire them as well. Holding a firearm and firing one both require your "feel" to be good with it. Decide how you plan to carry as well. Don't buy a pocket gun if you're going to conceal IWB and don't buy a compact gun if you want to carry In Your pocket!

What exactly is the difference between a pocket and compact? Size? Caliber? Both? Geez am I coming off like a total newb here? ^_^;